Katie and Andy Belliotti of Waterford Township won The Oakland Press' love story contest with almost 350 votes. Photo from Facebook

CONGRATULATIONS

Katie and Andy Belliotti of Waterford Township won a free night at The Baronette Renaissance Hotel in Novi and breakfast in bed. They received 347 votes for their love story. Katie met Andy while traveling up north with mutual friends. Katie said she admired Andy from afar, but nothing happened. “Two long and drawn out years later, I happened to come across him at the local pub on the celebration of St. Patrick,” said Katie. “Our eyes locked, and I simply stated, ‘Remember me?’ He reacted with a surge of eagerness rarely seen in a man. He kissed me passionately and, in response, I declared to anyone who would listen, ‘My future husband!’”

The lives of Al and Sandy Brink of Troy were forever changed when Al was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer five months ago.

Through the chemotherapy appointments and the days where Al cannot stomach solid foods, Sandy has been there for him.

Shannon Dawson, the girlfriend of Al and Sandy’s oldest son Allen, decided to contact The Oakland Press about the couple, who she calls an “inspiration,” hoping to surprise them this Valentine’s Day.

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“Through all of the bad, their love grows stronger. Too many times I have witnessed couples breaking apart through tough health battles. But Sandy and Al’s endurance and devotion to each other just inspires me and makes me believe true and lasting love still really exists,” said Dawson.

Dawson described Sandy as a “wonderful woman” and “Al’s rock.”

“She helps him with hooking up his (feeding tube), maintains the guidelines for what he can and cannot do, accompanies him to his chemo treatments, cares for him when he’s having his bad days, and celebrates with him when he has his good days. Sandy encourages Al to stay strong, to believe in his treatments, to strengthen his trust in God and to maintain a positive mindset,” said Dawson.

Surprise

Amy Holmes of Waterford hasn’t told her parents yet. But she is pregnant with her and her husband Zac’s third child, due in September. She wanted to surprise them with this article in The Oakland Press. “Congratulations,” we say.

Amy said she’s met many people who view marriage as disposable. After almost eight years of marriage, Amy said, “The word divorce isn’t even in our vocabulary. When we decided to get married, we made a life commitment to be ‘in it to win it.’”

Amy and Zac dance in the kitchen, make dinner together, do dishes together, hold doors open for each other, pray together and apologize to show their children what a marriage is supposed to look like. She describes Zac as a man full of never ending patience and support.

Zac said he knew the night he met Amy at a bonfire that she was the woman he was going to marry.

“She said that the night we went on our first date, she walked out of the house, declaring to her family, ‘This is the man I am going to marry,’” said Zac. “I love how unrelenting she is when it comes to us. She loves me fiercely and is very supportive of the decisions I make for our family. She is a fantastic combination of gentle and strong and brings the right kind of balance to our crazy life.”

‘He saved my life’

Shalon Leigh Morey-Wyman said if it wasn’t for her husband Christian, she may not be alive today.

In March 2013, Shalon was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis, recurring episodes of inflammation of the colon.

“When Christian got home from work he found me very ill and nearly unresponsive and rushed me to the ER at U of M,” said Shalon. “While at U of M, they found I was severely dehydrated, my hemoglobin levels and platelets were dangerously low and my kidneys had shut down. The only answer was major surgery to remove my diseased colon. ... The doctors told Christian if he hadn’t of brought me to the ER, I might not be here today.”

Shalon said she met Christian when their brothers, who are both diagnosed with Down syndrome, became friends.

“Our first date was April 9, 2010, and we literally haven’t left each others’ side since our first date,” she said.

‘God brought us together’

Troy native Sarah Wernert won tickets to ride on a party bus from a radio station. Little did she know, her future husband, Doug, and his friend also won tickets.

“We couldn’t find the meeting spot at first, but saw two guys who seemed to be waiting around too. I whispered to my friend that I thought the guy on the left was cute. ... (We) hung out and danced all night. The ‘guy on the left’ is now my husband, and we will celebrate our third wedding anniversary in May, right around the time that our first child is due,” she said.

“There were too many things that specifically had to happen for us to meet. ... We were actually the only five people on the bus that night, besides the radio DJ,” she said. “And a week later, we were matched up on match.com as having 84 percent compatibility. I guess God wanted us to meet, even if it didn’t happen that night.”

Silver lining

Neil Baxter of Rochester Hills was introduced to his current wife, Lori, by his ex-wife.

“My wife left me with three kids after 18 years of marriage. ... And then she encouraged me to ask (Lori) out. The rest is history,” Neil said.

He said this taught him sometimes “good things can come out of not such good things.”

“Eight years later we are still together because I truly believe love conquers. And love isn’t just an emotion. It’s a decision you make every single day when you get out of bed,” he said.

‘Married to my best friend’

Pastor John Smith of Pontiac said when he met his wife Kia 15 years ago, he was an alcoholic, they were both teenage parents and were both “in emotional, physical, and chemically abusive relationships.”

In the beginning of their relationship, with the help of Kia, he underwent treatment for his addiction and has never looked back.

“I love my wife so much because I know that God sent her into my life to save me from myself. She has endured nursing me back to health, dealing with my alcoholism, being a mom, always working in the healthcare field and the most difficult challenge of being a Pastor’s wife,” he said. “God gave her to me as my valentine. ... I’m married to my best friend.”

A daughter’s love

Corie Shaw, 15, of Clarkston sent a letter to The Oakland Press, sharing the love story of her parents, Yolanda and Kevin.

The two met when they were 22 and 23 years old.

“They became best friends. They hung out everyday, but when my daddy liked my mommy, my daddy told my mom’s friend that he did because he was shy. He was like a little school girl,” Corie said. “I love everything about my parents.”

About the Author

Monica Drake is the Community Engagement Editor, working with social media and our websites. She also puts together the community sections, in print each Thursday and Sunday. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Oakland University. Reach the author at monica.drake@oakpress.com
or follow Monica on Twitter: @monica_adele.